Apache Pilots Back in the Cockpit | Charleston News

Charleston News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 10, 2026 · 1m

Eight South Carolina National Guard pilots are back in the cockpit after a brief suspension sparked by a July Fourth flyover featuring Apache helicopters flying low over crowded beaches. Though the annual “Salute from the Shore” event honors service members, the safety concerns led to a review and temporary grounding — a move that drew backlash from officials like Governor McMaster and GOP lawmakers who defended the pilots’ experience. The Pentagon stepped in, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth promising to “fix this,” and soon lifted the suspension, clarifying it was a routine safety…